Wizard Names

[Ero Gaki]

A friend of mine who plays in our D&D games has a habit of having unimaginative names; things like Kyle, Jacob, etc. Now, don't get me wrong, a players character is his own business. Recently, this friend of mine, let's call him the Bill, has decided to play a wizard. He decided that he wanted a name for this character that is really, well, wizard-like. He doesn't want to steal names from books or the like (and he clearly stated that he wasn't going to use any of the big names, like Gandalf, Elminster, Mordenkainen, etc). So, I ask all of you: what are some really nice wizard names? Names that just scream "look at me, I'm a powerful wizard?"

 

[jasper]

I like names like Kyle. Why should I have to suffer because someone who has trouble spelling in his own language try to come up with exotic name and spells with no vowels.

 

[Ero Gaki]

An interesting point, but not really what I was looking for.

 

[Henry]

Basically, anything except "joke" names, and even then, if they're clever.

How about:

Morandor
Jelahn of Stonecoast (or insert homebrew region here)
Daingrak (just 'dain' to his friends)
Kyleran (if he wants a take off of a common name)
Tharnvar (add "the bloody" after you hit 9th level or so)

Even some joke names can be fun, as they COULD be serious in-character, but fun out of character:
Xantakk (uses acid-based spells a lot)
Morfine (female master of enchantments)
Kyri Aleasa
Altace (wizard very prone to stress)

 

[Warehouse23]

Remembering that wizards are part of an arcane brotherhood, even if they are solo adventurers, can help shape a name. Regardless of surname, a lot of character can shine through a wizard's choice of "last names." (e.g., honorifics, patronymics, etc.)

My last wizard was named Damothoneil Arlo (Damon for short). Of course, being a blacksmith-themed wizard, he was called "Damon the Copper" as a low level wizard. As he advanced in power, he could follow two paths: towards his good inclination (becoming "Damon the Silver" when he picked up his first level of Eldritch Knight, and eventually, "Damon the Gold" if he ever conquered some great evil) or towards the evil that comes with abuse of power (becoming "Damon the Tarnished").

 

[cmanos]

Ashlar, Lasher, Rowan, Tristan, Thane, Barabas, Taleisin (better for a bard), Antares, Golgoth the Skullbearer,

 

[Darmanicus]

Giles J Pimms is one I used for an extravagent wildmage I once played, a rather la dee da stiff upper lip chappy.

Others as follows......

Slazzack, Maelstrom, um, ummmm......yup that's it

 

[Napftor]

My very first wizard PC was named Chastazar. And while I thought it was pretty cool, it was pointed out to me by a good friend that the name sounded more like a soda than a dangerous spellcaster.

 

[harmyn]

If you want to keep it fairly simple and easy for him, I would suggest an ancient roman, greek, or norse name depending on what image he is wanting to go for. The roman names are the easiest to spell and pronounce as latin is a root language.

A few examples from a quick web search:

Bellicianus, Castus, Clemens, Magnus, Maritimus, Valens, Venator

 

[lukelightning]

You can easily decide that wizards have their own sub-culture of names and traditions. Sure, you were named Kyle Brown by your mom when you were born, but once you became an apprentice you started meeting people named Zaron and Mysta and Jozar and Famnilliatalpius the Glorified.

I like to use "Latinish" or "Greekish" names for wizards (as in Latin or Greek if I can, or at least words that sound like they are Latin or Greek). Some wizards in my campaign: Aristaeus, Draxillian, Rhadamanthus, Virgillia.